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Ambode blames religious leaders for corruption by politicians

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-Akinwunmi Ambode says demands from religious leaders, encourage politicians to steal and embezzle public funds.

-He further called for the need to promote equity regardless of social status, ethnicity or religious inclination.

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Ambode calls for caution on the part of religious leaders in making demands from politicians.

Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday laid the blame for corrupt practices and tendencies by corrupt politicians at the feet of religious leaders in the country.

He accused them of placing unrealistic demands and expectations on the neck of politicians which in turn forces such individuals into acts of corruption in order to meet such expectations.

Governor Ambode, represented by his Commissioner for home affairs, Dr. Abdul-hakeem Abdul-Lateef, who spoke at the annual public lecture organized by Christian Conscience, claimed religious leaders most times, fail to investigate the politicians’  source of wealth but are only interested in huge donations.

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According to him: “When church and mosque want to do fund raising they will not look for people that are committed to the work of God but rather politicians and people in power whose salary is not up to N500,000 to come and launch N50 million project.

“This same politicians and people in power, when they came to church late, Pastor will ask congregation to stand up and clap for them whereas the poor person that came early to church nobody recognizes him or her.”

“In my office as commissioner I see about 100 to 200 people daily that came to my office for personal assistance not something that will benefit the larger society, that is why my going to office is strategic because am tired of explaining to people that I don’t have.

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Corroborating the commissioner’s submission, a former Minister for education and convener of Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG, campaign, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, said Nigeria must tackle corruption before it can move forward as a nation.

According to her: “The church which is meant to be the salt of healing has failed and this is worrisome. We are all comfortable with corruption.”

“There is need to consider reducing opportunities for corruption because battling corruption goes beyond Christian belief. We should enforce prosecution and sanction of bad behaviours to serve as deterrent for other evil doers.”

 

The Chairman, Christian Conscience Group, Mr. Enock Ajiboso, however urged faithful religious leaders to join politics and make positive difference in the society.